Studio Ghibli and Disney Home Entertainment have announced that three of the former studio’s movies — Porco Rosso, Pom Poko, and Tales From Earthsea — will be released on Blu-ray on February 3rd, 2015.
Along with the movies, the three Blu-rays will also include a handful of extras. Porco Rosso will include the original Japanese storyboards, the original Japanese trailer, an interview with producer Toshio Suzuki, and a featurette titled “Behind The Microphone”; Pom Poko also has its original Japanese storyboards and original Japanese trailers; while Tales From Earthsea has its original Japanese storyboards, original Japanese trailers and TV Spots, and the featurettes “The Birth Of The Film Soundtrack” and “Origins Of Earthsea.”
For those unfamiliar with these movies, the announcement describes them thusly:
PORCO ROSSO: Take flight with Porco Rosso, a valiant World War I flying ace! From tropical Adriatic settings to dazzling aerial maneuvers, this action-adventure from world-renowned animator Hayao Miyazaki is full of humor, courage and chivalry. When Porco —whose face has been trans- formed into that of a pig by a mysterious spell — infuriates a band of sky pirates with his aerial heroics, the pirates hire Curtis, a rival pilot, to get rid of him. On the ground, the two pilots compete for the affections of the beautiful Gina. But it’s in the air where the true battles are waged. Will our hero be victorious?
POM POKO: Studio Ghibli presents a film about the clash between modern civilization and the natural world from acclaimed director Isao Takahata. The raccoons of the Tama Hills are being forced from their homes by the rapid development of houses and shopping malls. As it becomes harder to find food and shelter, they decide to band together and fight back. The raccoons practice and perfect the ancient art of transformation until they are even able to appear as humans. In often hilarious ways, the raccoons use their powers to try to scare off the advance of civilization. But will it be enough? Or will the raccoons learn how to live in balance with the modern world? Celebrate the magic of the forest and the beauty of the creatures who live among us in Pom Poko.
TALES FROM EARTHSEA: Based on the classic Earthsea fantasy book series by Ursula K. Le Guin, Tales From Earthsea is set in a mythical world filled with magic and bewitchment. In the land of Earthsea, crops are dwindling, dragons have reappeared and humanity is giving way to chaos. Journey with Lord Archmage Sparrowhawk, a master wizard, and Arren, a troubled young prince, on a tale of redemption and self-discovery as they search for the force behind the mysterious imbalance that threatens to destroy their world.
As for those who prefer their animes in English, Porco Rosso features the voices of Michael Keaton, Cary Elwes, and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Pom Poko has Clancy Brown and J.K. Simmons, while Tales From Earthsea‘s cast includes Timothy Dalton, Willem Dafoe, and Mariska Hargitay.
